After blanking the Red Raiders in the first game of their weekend series the Sooners got a pleasant surprise from an old star. Making his first start since 2007 due to a shoulder injury, Stephen Porlier threw five innings allowing only two hits and striking out five batters helping lead OU to another shutout victory.

The return of Porlier helps bolster a pitching staff that went 33 consecutive innings without allowing a run to cross the plate. If he can continue to throw like he did on Saturday then Oklahoma suddenly has one of the best, if not the best, #1/#2 pitching combos in the conference along with Andrew Doyle.

Unfortunately for Oklahoma they couldn’t keep it going in game three dropping a 5-1 decision. About the only thing that Oklahoma has done wrong since conference play began is fail to capture a series sweep. With wins over Kansas State, Nebraska, Missouri and now Texas Tech the Sooners haven’t lost a series but they’ve also failed to pick up that elusive third series win. Who knows, maybe we’ll see it this weekend against Texas. Regardless I’ll be completely satisfied with winning two of three in every conference series.

In winning another series Oklahoma held on to first place in the conference standings but both Texas and Baylor are breathing down their necks. While the Sooners and Longhorns are battling it out in Austin the Bears will be visiting slumping Oklahoma State. First up though, Oklahoma has to take care of business when TCU comes to Norman Tuesday night.